Regeneration is bringing Clones back to life

The Border now for the most part seems non-existent, the only sign of it is a ping on the phone. ‘Welcome to IRELAND’ the text message reads.

For many residents, the crossing of the Border is part of daily life.

One man who had made the journey to Fermanagh that morning to collect fish was Tiernach Slowey who woke at 5am.

Tiernach Slowey, working at his Fish Stall in Clones.

He has lived all his life in the town, and while having worked in various jobs, he is now a fishmonger.

“It’s not as busy a town as it was, but it’s coming back!” he said.

One of those echoing the feeling that Clones is on the way back is Ciarán Morgan of Lipton’s Clones.

Ciarán Morgan

Many do a double take as they enter his shop, such is the volume of products on offer.

And it is busy. The wrapping paper dispenser rarely stops whirling around as customers carry out their Christmas preparations.

The shop has evolved in recent years having moved to a bigger premises: “We’ve been here three years. There was a smaller shop before, this is about four times bigger,” explained Mr. Morgan.

The shop is named after the businessman, Sir Thomas Lipton, who had roots two or three kilometres away in Fermanagh.

Mr. Lipton founded a grocery store chain and later Lipton tea and where the Morgan family had their first premises was a former Lipton’s shop.

“After the Troubles, it really did suffer, the roads closed, people didn’t travel.

“You missed a generation of people who might have travelled to Clones, at the minute there is an Ulster canal project, there is €40 million going into it. It is going to be big for tourism.

They receive strong support from people across the Border region, Mr. Morgan said: “People from Enniskillen come down but we serve a lot of the Border area; Magherveeley, Dernawilt, Newtownbutler, Lisnaskea. You wonder why they don’t skip over to Enniskillen, but it’s only a five-minute drive to Clones.”

He would like to see more people stop in the town: “If you’re passing through it, which is what Clones is known for, stop and grab yourself a coffee, take a wander around here.

“We have a great round tower, a Celtic cross, we have so much history dating back to the tenth century.

“The Ulster final is only one day of the year; the other 364 it is a nice place to come and visit.”

Out for a walk along Fermanagh Street was Jim Reilly (left), who stopped for a chat.

Jim Reilly.

He signposted the convenience of Clones with facilities such as the library and GP service both being accessible: “Clones is nice, especially on the Diamond, there is near everything here.

“This was a quare town years and years ago but the Troubles started in the North and the roads were blocked and that didn’t help this town for a long time. Pubs suffered a lot, shops, this street [Fermanagh Street] was full of shops [but there is] not too many in it now.”

Out walking Bob the dog were Mary Brogan and Norma Aspell, both “born and reared” in Clones.

Victoria Johnston, speaking to Mary Brogan and Norma Aspell.

When asked what is good about the town, they quipped: “Everything.”

Ms Aspell added: “It’s a friendly town surely.”

Ms Brogan continued: “It’s great to see the regeneration, everything used to be derelict and now it’s regenerating, it’s putting life back in the town.”

“The investment is good, we need it,” agreed Ms Aspell.

Both say that Clones needs more jobs and Ms Brogan added: “There is not a lot of work around Clones, we need a bit of business in Fermanagh Street.”

The residents of Clones are aware of the architectural beauty and significance of the area they call home, said Eamon McCaughey of Matthews Shop: “This area is classified as an architectural conservation area.”

Eamon McCaughey.

Standing outside his shop looking over the Diamond area he said: “This is beautiful, we have the High Cross here, we have the Church of Ireland overlooking the Diamond, and now we have the Market House rebuilt. Clones has gone through a lot of change.”

Noting how some of the changes have moved key services from the Diamond area, he added: “Our library relocated from the Diamond area, our bus stop relocated, and also the two banks have closed in recent times, the nearest bank is Monaghan or Ballybay.”

But it is not all doom and gloom: “We have positive news. We have the Peace Link, a state-of-the-art facility for the community on both sides of the Border. We have the good news of the canal, and we have an investment in the town with schools, fire stations and other stuff like that there,” he noted.

“In the last five years or so, the community has completely changed. We have all nationalities, the new guests to the country.

“There is over 50 per cent foreign nationals. It’s positive, we are diverse, and we like to be welcoming to the new guests of the community.”

John Slowey.

Elsewhere, local butcher John Slowey had one eye on the shop floor at Carafinn Farm Foods and the other on his phone as he watched the webcam for Clones Mart.

He prides himself in sourcing local produce and there is no better place for it than the local mart: “It’s doing well this last couple of years from Covid.

“Look it, you can buy a few cattle, it’s local and it’s handy.”

He has been in business trading as  for five years but through his maternal family, the Reinhardt, he has strong connections to the meat trade.

Reflecting on the town where he has been in business for five years and where he has raised his family he said: “It’s a good community and there is a good community spirit in the town, the people are good and they are supportive.”

Like many, he does agree that Clones could do with some more local investment on the business front but welcomes the cash injection for projects such as the new library and the Ulster Canal project.

He concluded: “Clones, when you are born and bred [here], you have the connection with it.”

The Diamond Clones.